The Democene: Population in the 21st Century and the Changing Global Order

Fall 2026 Harry ’51 and Joshua ’49 Tsujimoto Perspectives in Global Development and the Environment Seminar Series

About the speaker

Parfait Martial Eloundou-Enyegue's research agenda broadly addresses the interrelationships between population, social change, and sustainable development. Under this general theme, his current projects study the effects of contemporary demographic changes on global inequality, education, youth employment, health, food security and internal conflicts. Parfait's methodological work advances the use of decomposition methods to reconcile micro-and macro-traditions in quantitative sociological research and to understand the sources of social change.

Prior to coming to Cornell, he was affiliated with the RAND Corporation (Los Angeles) and earned a doctorate in Demography and Sociology from the Pennsylvania State University and an advanced degree in Agricultural Economics and Development Sociology from Cameroon. He has taught across multiple continents, mostly Africa, North America and Asia, and has extensive experience with field research and policy communication. He was won teaching and prestigious research awards from the Population Association of America and from the Comparative International Education Society; and has received the 2020 Distinguished Alumni Awards from the College of Agriculture at the Pennsylvania State University.  Between 2008 and 2017, and with support from the Hewlett Foundation and the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population, he led a large effort to advance demographic training in Francophone Africa, including the study of demographic dividends. He has consulted with the United Nations, the World Bank and USAID, and has worked on the Board of Directors of several professional associations and institutions, including the Population Association of America, the Population Reference Bureau, the Guttmacher Institute, and the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population.  He recently was a member of an independent group of 15 scientists nominated by the UN’s Secretary General Panel to draft the first quadrennial report of the report on Sustainable Development Goals.

Abstract

About the seminar series

The Harry ’51 & Joshua ’49 Tsujimoto Perspectives in Global Development and the Environment Seminar Series showcases innovative approaches to development with experts from around the globe. Each year, the series attracts online registrants from over 45 countries and more than 350 organizations. 

Seminars are held Wednesdays from 12:20-1:10 p.m. Eastern time during the semester in 175 Warren Hall. Students, faculty and the general public are welcome to attend in-person or via Zoom.

The series is co-sponsored by the Sections of Global Development and Natural Resources and the Environment and the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management as part of courses GDEV 4961, AEM 4961, NTRES 4961, GDEV 6960, AEM 6960, and NTRES 6960.